by Larry Eder
Cam Levins, en route to his 2:09.25, October 21, 2018, ScotiaBank Toronto Marathonr, photo by PhotoRun.net
After three tough years of injuries, Cam Levins, former NCAA champion, HOKA ONE ONE sponsored athlete, delivered the goods on a cold day in Toronto, to run 2:09.25, breaking the Canadian record by 44 seconds. Cam Levins battled cold weather to set the new record. His build up was excellent, as he returned to Utah, and his college coach, Eric Houle, from Southern Utah University. Levins built up to 150 miles a week in his marathon training, spending the last month running in altitude in Cedar City, Utah.
Cam Levins setting Canadian record of 2:09.25, photo by PhotoRun.net
Cam Levins, ScotiaBank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, photo by Photorun.net
Miki Gorman, Jerome Drayton, 1977 Boston Marathon Champions, photo by Corbis/Getty Images/IAAF
Cam Levins’ first marathon broke the 43 year old record of Canadian Jerome Drayton, a three time winner of Fukuoka, one time winner of Boston, and number one ranked marathoner in the world (1rst in 1969, 2nd in 1975, 5th in 1976, 2nd in 1977). Drayton was a top flight marathoner, finishing sixth in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Drayton set the Canadian record in Fukuoka in 1975, running 2:10.09.8. To read more about this enigmatic runner, please read: https://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/blogs/scottrussell/2012/06/jerome-drayton-and-the-oldest-canadian-record.html.
Cam Levins built into a fine 2018. In January, Cam Levins ran 1:05.00 at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon, having just announced his signing with new sponsor. Levins had two rough years, with surgery and rehab taking up his time. Levins had run with the Nike Oregon Project, setting a Canadian 10,000m record during that time. Cam Levins told some media that he wondered if he could come back.In April 2018, Cam Levins ran a PB of 1:02.15 for the half marathon, taking 30th in the World Half marathon championships. The young Canadian was on his way back.
Cam Levins gets $43,000 for new Canadian record of 2:09.25, photo by PhotoRun.net
Five weeks out from Toronto, Cam Levins ran a nice 63:10 in the RNR Philly Half marathon. His training of 150 miles a week going well, Levins went to altitude in Utah for a month, to do the final work for the marathon.
Cam Levins, photo by PhotoRun.net
In Toronto, the weather was a challenge, but Cam Levins ran well. Hitting the 10k in 30:45, the half marathon in 1:04.35 and 30k in 1:32.21. Levins admitted that the final 10k was tough, but he looked happy and relaxed upon setting the new Canadian NR of 2:09.25.
Toronto Waterfront Marathon Men & Women Elite results pic.twitter.com/gttdbEuaqW
— Costas Goulas (@lsabre_Avenger) October 21, 2018
Cam Levins told the media that he would be going somewhere warm after his 2:09.25 NR. He also noted that there would be another marathon in his plans and he wants to represent Canada in the 2020 Olympics.
We are happy to see Cam Levins back in form. That he set a new record, taking the mark of Jerome Drayton off the NR books, after 43 years, shows how amazing Draytonr was, and the promise of Cam Levins.
Surely, someone who has spent two years injured will enjoy the return to success!
Cam Levins takes 4th in NR of 2:09.25, photo by PhotoRun.net
